New York Farmworkers Deserve Equal Rights and Protections

OUR HISTORY

JUSTICE FOR FARMWORKERS LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN

In the 1930s, the passage of New Deal legislation marked the beginning of a new era for workers' rights. One of the groups forgotten by the New Deal was farmworkers.

Over seventy years have gone by and New York State farmworkers still lack the rights to a day of rest, overtime pay and the right to bargain collectively - which means they are powerless to ask their employers for what they deserve - equal rights and dignity.

The Justice for Farmworkers Campaign (JFW) was created as a statewide educational and legislative movement aimed at giving farmworkers the same rights that every other New York State worker receives.

Over the last fifteen years, RMM has been at the forefront of the Campaign by raising awareness, educating the public about know how they can support farmworkers, and supporting for legislative change through the passage of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.

The Legislative Campaign has had some successes, as farmworkers were granted the right to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in the fields, and the right to the same minimum wage as other workers yet, exclusions still remain. The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act (S2727/A4189), a bill currently in the NY State Legislature, would remove these exclusions and grant farmworkers the dignity and equality they deserve.

GET INVOLVED

To find out more information on how you can join the campaign and learn about our upcoming events and actions, send us a message and we will get back to you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign on January 17, 2018 at 10AM in Albany at the Legislative Office Building (LOB) WELL as we host the A Farmworker Fair Labor Hearing: An Inquiry Into the Ethical Treatment of Farmworkers in the State of New York.

Buses will be traveling from Western New York, Long Island, New York City, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. To let us know you are coming please register here: http://bit.ly/FarmworkerHearing

Read Senate Bill 2721

Senate Bill 2721, sponsored by Senator Marisol Alcantara will enact the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, which will grant collective bargaining rights, workers' compensation and unemployment benefits to New York state farmworkers.

JFW in the News

On May 23, 2017, farmworkers, allies and legislators gathered in Albany in order to demand equal rights and protections for New York State farmworkers in a day called Farmworker Albany Day. The day was featured in prominent news outlets:

Farmworker Sabbath

The purpose of this Farmworker Sabbath is to raise up the MORAL and ETHICAL voices of religious congregations/communities within New York State to focus on the plight of its farmworkers – and to respond to a long-standing injustice with prayer, education and action.